Protecting Hawaii’s Natural Resources: How Tourism Can Help Sustainability Efforts
Protecting Hawaii’s Natural Resources: How Tourism Can Help Sustainability Efforts
In Hawaii, a bill that would have had tourists help pay for the protection of its forests and wildlife failed to pass. The revenue generated from the required user fee could have been used to maintain and protect parks, coral reefs, forests, and wildlife such as dolphins. Although there was widespread public and political support for this measure, lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled House and Senate did not resolve their differences over the details in time for a deadline at the end of this year’s legislative session.
Despite a large portion of Hawaii’s population being made up of visitors (10 million visitors per year vs 1.5 million residents), many travelers enjoy hiking in its forests, snorkeling over its coral reefs, and viewing its wildlife, all of which put a lot of pressure on the environment. The governor and House and Senate leaders backed this bill as a way to offset the expenses for upkeep, improvement, and protection of parks and natural resources.
The idea behind this bill has not been abandoned yet; many political figures are still keen to find ways to reduce tourism’s impact on Hawaii’s environment while also cutting costs for residents. A spokesperson for Governor Josh Green said that his administration views the setback as an opportunity to have a broader discussion about managing tourism in general. Carissa Cabrera from the Hawaii Green Fee coalition expressed optimism that lawmakers could pass similar legislation next year after taking into account all of the feedback received during this session.
It is clear that a more sustainable approach towards tourism in Hawaii needs to be adopted. Charging visitors user fees can be an effective way of generating revenue to fund conservation, maintenance and improvement projects for parks and natural resources. It would also help reduce the strain on the environment due to over-tourism and give something back to the locals who have been affected by the influx of visitors.
We hope that political leaders will come together next year with a comprehensive plan that takes into consideration all areas of tourist management in Hawaii. This plan should include measures such as charging fees to tourists while also providing adequate protection, upkeep and services to its wildlife, forests, coral reefs, and other natural resources.
Tourism can be a blessing for local communities if it is done responsibly and sustainably. Let’s make sure that Hawaii’s most treasured natural resources are protected for generations to come. See the beauty of this paradise, but remember to do so with respect for nature!
